CVE-2015-1385 in PowerPress Podcasting
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Blubrry PowerPress Podcasting plugin before 6.0.1 for WordPress allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the cat parameter in a powerpress-editcategoryfeed action in the powerpressadmin_categoryfeeds.php page to wp-admin/admin.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/12/2022
The CVE-2015-1385 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the Blubrry PowerPress Podcasting plugin for WordPress, affecting versions prior to 6.0.1. This vulnerability resides within the administrative interface of the plugin, specifically in the powerpressadmin_categoryfeeds.php file where the cat parameter is processed during powerpress-editcategoryfeed actions. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of authenticated admin sessions, creating a severe security risk for WordPress sites utilizing this podcasting plugin. The vulnerability operates by failing to properly sanitize user input before rendering it in the web page context, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary HTML and JavaScript code that executes in the browsers of unsuspecting administrators.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the cat parameter within the powerpress-editcategoryfeed action pathway. When an administrator navigates to the category feed editing interface, the plugin processes the cat parameter without adequate input validation or output encoding, creating a persistent XSS vector. This flaw aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting vulnerabilities in web applications. The attack requires minimal privileges since it targets the administrative interface, and successful exploitation can result in complete compromise of the WordPress installation. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to steal administrator cookies, execute arbitrary commands, modify content, or redirect users to malicious sites, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrators have elevated privileges.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-1385 extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with a foothold for more sophisticated attacks within the WordPress ecosystem. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can potentially gain full administrative control over the affected WordPress site, including the ability to modify or delete content, install malicious plugins, or compromise other users' accounts. The vulnerability's persistence in the administrative interface makes it particularly concerning since administrators regularly access these pages to manage podcast content and settings. This flaw also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers the execution of malicious code through web-based attacks, and T1566, which involves the exploitation of vulnerabilities to gain initial access to target systems. The vulnerability affects not just individual sites but potentially entire WordPress networks, as the plugin's widespread adoption means numerous installations could be compromised simultaneously.
The remediation for CVE-2015-1385 requires immediate patching of the Blubrry PowerPress plugin to version 6.0.1 or later, which implements proper input sanitization and output encoding for the cat parameter. Administrators should also implement additional security measures including regular plugin updates, monitoring of admin activity logs for suspicious behavior, and implementation of web application firewalls to detect and block malicious requests. Security best practices recommend that all WordPress installations maintain current versions of plugins and themes, as outdated components represent the most common attack vectors for web application compromises. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to mitigate the impact of potential XSS attacks, and conduct regular security audits to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities across their WordPress installations. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of proper input validation and output encoding in web applications, particularly within administrative interfaces where privileged access can be exploited to cause maximum damage.